Question

The youngsters came tumbling up the steps, the quadroon following at the respectful distance which they required her to observe. Mrs. Pontellier made them carry her paints and things into the house. She sought to detain them for a little talk and some pleasantry. But they were greatly in earnest. They had only come to investigate the contents of the bonbon box. *** [Mrs. Pontellier] stood watching the fair woman walk down the long line of galleries with the grace and majesty which queens are sometimes supposed to possess. Her little ones ran to meet her. Two of them clung about her white skirts, the third she took from its nurse and with a thousand endearments bore it along in her own fond, encircling arms. Which best explains how these two scenes from chapter 5 contribute to the novel’s plot development? They contribute to the falling action by introducing a series of events that take place between Mrs. Pontellier and her close friend Madame Ratignolle after the climax. They contribute to the exposition by providing additional background information on the friendship between Mrs. Pontellier and Madame Ratignolle. They contribute to the rising action by introducing a secondary conflict related to Mrs. Pontellier’s envy of the ease with which Madame Ratignolle manages traditional female roles. They contribute to the climax by marking a turning point in the series of events that take place between Mrs. Pontellier and her close friend Madame Ratignolle.

Answer 1

The correct answer would be C. They contribute to the rising action by introducing a secondary conflict related to Mrs. Pontellier’s envy of the ease with which Madame Ratignolle manages traditional female roles.

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Answer 2

The correct answer is "They contribute to the rising action by describing the behaviors that take place between Roger, Madame Ratignolle, and Mrs. Pontellier".

In "The Awakening", by Kate Chopin, the veil of appearences slowly lifts up throughout the narration exposing the inner conflicts of motherhood, gender roles, femininity and oppresion towards women. The social and political context surrounding life in the South at the turnn of century, also plays a big role.

Addressing your question directly, it seems like you're mainly being asked to differentiate the storytelling stages of exposition, rising action, climax, resolution, etc. What is revealed in this excerpt (in the context of the tale as a whole), would best fit the category of "rising action". This particular stage occurs when the first clues of a potential conflict start to appear, setting things up for further scalation towards a climax and eventual resolution in the end.

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